With The Sound of Music Live!, NBC is harking back to the days when live television specials were events of national importance—and the punctuation in the title suggests that they're really, really excited about it. Carrie Underwood is donning Maria von Trapp's signature Heidi braids to step into Julie Andrews's iconic role, and True Blood's Stephen Moyer (who no one knew could sing) is playing Captain von Trapp, which is just one of the reasons we can't wait to watch on Thursday night. Here are five more reasons you should totally tune in.

1. At the photoshoot for our December cover, Carrie admitted to being nervous about filling Andrews's shoes. "I really hope people realize that I'm still me and not trying to be [her]. Nobody could do that." But she committed, and we admire her willingness to take on the challenge.